Serious cases remain well below 100 as largest number of people receive first and third shots in over a month; more than 1,000 people test positive for fifth day in a row

US travelers face misery as airlines cancel flights due to crewing problems caused by virus; Canada says Santa vaccinated and cleared for travel

Local authorities counting on the Holy Land’s small Christian community to lift spirits for the holiday after Israel imposes tourist travel ban in attempt to stop spread of Omicron

Helsinki Committee authorizing clinical trials yet to sign off on test-run of extra booster for 100 volunteers for unknown reason, even as Health Ministry okays shot for elderly

Committee tasked with granting permission for those looking to fly to banned countries reported to have backlog of 15,000 petitions, with most of those considered being denied

TV report says Health Ministry director may not endorse panel’s recommendation to offer additional booster shots if further data suggests hospitalizations lower from new variant

Preliminary findings add to emerging evidence variant produces milder illness, but also spreads faster and better evades vaccines

Giving 3rd vaccine doses diverts supplies away from unprotected countries, official says; Xi'an metropolis shut down over 52 cases; UK and France go forward with vaccinating kids

FDA authorizes molnupiravir for combating severe coronavirus infections; will have smaller role than Pfizer's more effective Paxlovid

A third shot of its vaccine 'neutralized the Omicron variant' to levels seen following the second dose, says the pharmaceutical giant in new research